The Vendée Globe, known as the “Everest of the Seas”, launched its 10th edition on the weekend, drawing massive crowds to the French coastal town of Les Sables d’Olonne to witness the grand start of 40 IMOCA-series boats heading out on their epic journey. German skipper Boris Herrmann, at the helm of the Monaco Yacht Club-based Malizia-Seaexplorer, embarked for the second time on this solo around-the-world event with a confident start that quickly set him apart from the fleet.
The start of the 2024 Vendée Globe took place at 1:02pm on Sunday 10th November under favourable conditions, much to the delight of sailors.
Amongst the competitors was Boris Herrmann, the first German to complete the Vendée Globe in 2021 and the captain of the Monaco-based Malizia-Seaexplorer. “I feel great and I’m very keen to go,” he said on the day. “I slept well, though I woke up an hour too early from my alarm. Then I cuddled with my dog Lilli for a bit.”
Before bidding farewell to family and supporters, Herrmann also took a moment with Prince Albert II, who praised Herrmann’s dedication, saying “Boris and the other sailors involved are ambassadors and players in this formidable effort to protect the oceans.”
The Prince had travelled to Les Sables d’Olonne to wish Herrmann well and also to sign a partnership agreement between Monaco and the Vendée Globe Foundation.
GOOD START TO AN INTENSE RACE
Herrmann led the fleet for the initial stretch, skilfully seizing an advantage at the starting line. With more wind at the pin end of the line, he gained over 200 meters in the first 20 minutes of the race, asserting himself as an early frontrunner.
The Vendée Globe covers 45,000 kilometres (24,300 nautical miles), spanning the Atlantic, the Southern Ocean, and the three iconic capes- Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn- before returning north to finish in Les Sables d’Olonne.
The journey will challenge each skipper’s skill, stamina, and mental resilience. The finish is expected between mid to late January, with Herrmann seen as one of the favourites due to his proven experience. He finished fifth in the last edition and has had a remarkable series of results this year, including a win in The Ocean Race’s Southern Ocean leg.
“A success would be to do a good race for myself, in terms of taking the potential of the boat as well as my own,” Herrmann said. “And then we will see the result.”
Pierre Casiraghi, co-founder of Team Malizia and vice-president of the Yacht Club de Monaco, joined Herrmann in the days leading up to the start. “It’s fantastic,” said Casiraghi. “This is the culmination of years of work. For us, Boris is one of the contenders for the podium, but the Vendée Globe is such a long race with so many variables that, above all, it’s crucial to finish it.”
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT
Beyond the competition, Herrmann and Team Malizia are driven by an environmental mission. Their campaign, ‘A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!’, is supported by seven main partners and aims to raise awareness for ocean and climate protection.
As Herrmann noted, “Like in every race, delivery, or training we do, I have the OceanPack onboard. This automated laboratory very precisely measures ocean CO₂ concentrations, temperature, and salinity data.”
The data is part of a growing dataset accessible to scientists for research on ocean climate dynamics, especially crucial in the Southern Ocean where few vessels gather such information.
As Herrmann embarks on the demanding 80-day journey, he’s prepared to take it one leg at a time, saying, “I’ll need to break it down into small stages to avoid feeling overwhelmed.”
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Main photo: Boris Herrmann setting off on his second Vendée Globe competition, sailing the Monaco Yacht Club flag, photo credit: Marie Lefloch/Team Malizi